Hi everyone,I finally found a store in Finland that sells fencing masks. What is your recommendation for stick sparring use:http://steffenpeters.de/store/index.php?cPath=37I have eyeglasses which I plan to use at least in the beginning (no full contact sparring) under the mask. Is this a bad idea? Should I get contact lenses right away?

Eyeglasses, not goggles.... The need is that I don't see s**t withou them.

About the models, well, the question basically was, what model would you recommend? If I'm looking for one, all-around mask, would it have to be a sabre mask or something else? I have to admit that I don't know too much about fencing masks, the need is to provide enough protection for both light and hard contact.

Eyeglasses, not goggles.... The need is that I don't see s**t withou them.

About the models, well, the question basically was, what model would you recommend? If I'm looking for one, all-around mask, would it have to be a sabre mask or something else? I have to admit that I don't know too much about fencing masks, the need is to provide enough protection for both light and hard contact.

- Marko

My Bad, My father wears his when we fight. The only problem is getting the mask on and off with the glasses on; they tend to move around but he seems to have a pretty good system down. As for a model you might want to start off with a cheeper mask first to see if it is what you want before you go and spend a couple hundred on a really good fencing mask. I have purchased a few off of ebay from http://www.alexandrsport.com/mask.htm and I love the masks. For the price you can't beat the quality.

As for a mask ... get a FIE (approved for international competitions) 3 weapon fencing mask http://www.blue-gauntlet.com/store/images/m1601.gif. Is not cheap (about $150), but it is very strong. I talked the local saber fencing club into giving me one (long term loan, whatever), but used club masks can be pretty funky. I would rather wear a good mask than risk a head injury in a cheap mask that sets back my training.

Thanks for the input. Luckily, I have a chance to check out the masks at local fencing club before buying. I also posted the question on a Finnish fencing forum, they recommended a 1600-series mask. Most of them are FIE approved.

I also posted the question on a Finnish fencing forum, they recommended a 1600-series mask. Most of them are FIE approved.

- Marko

The only thing you will notice is that on the fencing forum they are all about the extremly expensive masks. I don't think this is a "must" for what we are doing. I posted on a few of the fencing forums and told them what I was doing with the mask and they all made it sound like they treated their masks like gold. When I said I was going to be hitting it with a stick they all said there was no way they would ever use their mask for such a thing. In a way I totally agree with them, there is no reason to pay that kind of money for somthing that really isn't built that much better for what we are doing.

Fencers masks are tested at each tournament by the armorer (who can be real assholes about safe equipment). Even normal fencing strikes eventually weaken the mesh. I am sure a couple of stick fights would make it unusable for competition. Once a mask fails there is no way to repair it. It is retired and used for practice only.

My best advice is go a local club get a used 3 weapon mask - FIE if possible because it is stronger and has more padding.

I just searched the Sacramento Craigslist "sporting goods" section with the term "fencing." I found a $10 mask for sale. Go to http://www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html find your city, run a search (or post a want ad) and see what comes up.

Logged

I don't know how many of them it would have taken to whip my ass, but I knew how many they were going to use. That's a handy little piece of information.- Ron White

Thanks, but like I said, I live in Finland and I'm looking for a local source. I'm planning on going to have a look at the masks and then decide. The price range starts from about 60 EUR, which is about 80 $ I quess.

Kombat Instruments Ltd. (K.I.L.) is a company that specializes in stickfighting products. I bought two fencing mask's through K.I.L. and have been very happy with there performance at a price that would fit most peoples budget. The company is owned and operated by a long time dog brother and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for these types of products. Good Luck!DogTomLink:

Any developments on you and the others making it over to the Euro Gathering this year ?

I'm getting back from Mexico and Africa during the next month and then am taking time off to ge to Europe. I know that Boo Dog and perhaps even Tennessee Dog had expressed interest in coming as well as some of the Dogs in Canada.